August 27, 2011

By Ken Wagner

Well let’s sum it up. I drove over 10 hours coming and going, in the middle spent 11 hours at the best little race track in the west, and watched a curfew breaking finish that made it all worth the trouble. Leaving the high 110 temps of Las Vegas for the cool beach scene in Ventura was one of my better ideas this past week as I needed a jacket late in the evening instead of massive amounts of air-conditioning. Checking out the marvelous panoramic scene from the grandstands looking over the ocean, watching the big kites flying in the breeze above, seeing the boats cruising majestically on the chrystal blue water, and getting a glimpse of the inland view of the big green rolling hillside with some very pricey homes parked up there, plus watch the outstanding racing, it’s hard to imagine not going there more often. It was my first trip to the seaside track this season and whenever I go there, I feel at home! Running the Wagsdash there for so many years makes it a very nostalgic trip for me. Nevertheless, I can report the new orthopedics in my shoes allowed me to walk the pits without pain for the first time in months, and that was a home run for this Wag. I’ll have to apologize to the doc when I see him as I told him no way would they help!

My pics click here to view.. Doug Allens work is here as usual click here to view.

Even though this was not a 410 show, it was just like one on the small oval. Add to that I still know so many people at this place it was a blast doing the walk-around. Of course all I heard was “is there going to be a Wagsdash this year” Answer: sort of! There were 32 cars going for the $ 7,150 put up for the winner at this 1st annual Vendor’s Cup. Even two CRA boys, Nic Fass & Matt Mitchell , came to play on their off week. Local hero Troy Rutherford was chompin’ at the bit to ward off all comers for this big payday. Jimmy Crawford made a rare appearance with locals Greg Taylor, the Camarillo brothers, Josh Ford, Steve Conrad and many others wanting the big bundle of CA$H at the end of the Ventura rainbow!

There is no qualifying at Ventura and only hot laps will give any idea of how cars are running before they line up to race. They do that according to their pill draw when they check in at the back gate with Nellie Stansberry. She and husband Ray are now fixtures at the little track with him in charge of teching the cars. The entire parking area and pits have been reduced by probably 50 % since they moved the beach inland a ways for who knows what reason? I don’t think there is any more beach area, but whatever.

After walking the pits for a couple or 3 hours, I went into the midway. It was so quiet at 3 pm, you might wonder if there was going to be a race there later. I visited with Thunderhead Tom Touts in his sprint car apparel booth and discovered the 4th annual Dirt Trackin’ Golf Classic is around the corner, September 16 to be exact, at the same place as last year, Buenaventura Golf Club. The proceeds go to the Committee to save Ventura Raceway and there will be a way to also donate to this year’s WAG$CA$H event (more later on that) by attending. The Banquet that follows will feature many giveaways and good food like last year. Also, during the day, there is a Miniature Golf Tournament to be held at the Golf N’ Stuff for those who can’t play the silly long stick game. It’s a good cause. Come and watch me sink another miracle putt in the putting contest.

After a little more chatting, I headed up in the booth to spend the night with my host, and serious F1 racing fan, Jim Naylor. Wow, he took me on not one, but two tours of the track in his big ole watering truck as we caught up on things all about racing. I have always enjoyed sitting in his announcer’s booth watching him and listening to the action he describes. It is really up close and personal and no way can I describe it. I can sit up there and take a few pics and get all the inside info and eye candy I can stand for an evening.

After hot laps it was time for him to do a little watering before the 5:30 race starting time. The night’s menu included go carts, Ford Focus, Modifieds, midgets and sprint cars. Although the car counts were low in some groups, yet the two big classes were there and ready to race. I can say some of the other classes were very entertaining, especially the go carts that line up at 40 miles an hour before getting the green? WAHOO!

The late night finish of the 40 lapper was driven somewhat, now looking back, by the sprint car drivers who were overanxious to get the big money and the additional restart-itis of the other classes who must have thought their main was featuring extra pay as well. The Midget main was pretty good as Jake Swanson stayed on the bottom and led the 30 lapper most of the race with Brian Camarillo flyin’ high near the wall trying to overtake him each and every lap. Every time he had the momentum, and would either pass or almost pass the leader at the flag, a yellow flag would fly. Eventually, he had enough consecutive racing laps to take the lead and hold it for the win. Good job for the older brother of the likeable and friendly pair.

When feature time came, we were running a tad over the curfew, but there were big bucks up. After several tries to start the amazing race, and having multiple crashes, spins and stops by many cars, we had all of 2 laps in! Wow Jim was heard to mutter under his breath it was like a Wagsdash re-lived! I know, history teaches me, some of those years it was hard to watch getting our race in. He muttered some other classic thoughts as it just drug on for a bit, but once it got rolling, it was typical Ventura action wall to wall!

Matt Mitchell was in a Steve Watts car that was super-fast this night. He won his heat running away with it and started on the pole of the main event. He had Brian Camarillo next to him on the start and pulled away easily on each restart, of which there were many. Fast guy Rutherford started 14th, the Kruser 4th and it wasn’t long before Cory was in 2nd with Rutherford on his tail. Mitchell continued to lead as traffic made this one terrific to watch.

As the race started winding down, and with Mitchell still in control, Cory started running an extreme low groove in turn one and launching himself up to try to get in front of Matt. It worked once, but Matt diamonded back on him retaking the lead before they crossed the finish line and took off again. There were a couple of serious looking crashes that brought out the red flags, but none more terrifying than a back stretch wild flip by Kevin Kierce that took everyone’s breath away. Fortunately, he climbed out quickly and should be pretty sore after that one.

There were only 4 laps to go on the last restart and Matt did the sensible thing when he got going again. Knowing Cory’s plan to attack the “Monster Mattster” from the bottom, he smartly restarted fast and stayed on the bottom thru one and two and shut off the Kruser’s path to glory, thus giving the CRA runner his best payday of his young career. He had won the last CRA race at the PAS for a measly $ 2000, and this night was a triple major success, financially. It was a good job for Matt holding off the teacher in his own classroom.

It was after 11 as I wound my way out of the booth and on down to my red nightrider for the trip home. The “va va voom” Vette purred it’s way 335 miles, as I drank two of those 5 hour energy drinks, and it was after 4:30 when I hit the sheets. The trip was long and a 21 hour day, but it was all worth it! I can’t wait till next year’s 2nd annual event, but I gotta get myself an airplane.

Wally Pankratz was in the house with a bunch of little cars as usual, but one thing was different. He had John Ryals and Marc Hart in two of them, but he drove a sprint car this week. He did well coming from the back, so had a good time. ‘

I got lost trying to go out the back way when I left and found the gate I sneaked in was closed. I then tried to go back down main street to get to the parking lot that way, but it was all fenced in. Coming back towards the track, I saw a dancing girl who had partied too much who also was lost, and believe me I had no help for her, but she was fun to watch even without a stripper pole. Eventually, I went back towards the track and worked my way out thru the parking lot and got on the road.

Bruce Douglas usually drives his sprint and/or Midget, but tonight he was doing triple duty. He came up to the booth and was announcing the sprint heats, until he had to go race, with his partner who was Steve Conrad’s son! The young boy does some announcing often and is way better than I would be. Very interesting and both seemed to enjoy it.

The new look WAG$CA$H coming up at Hanford in November has confused some. Here is the basic idea. I will collect the money like I always have the past 20 plus years, and we pay it all out just as if we ran the Wagsdash that night. So let’s say I have 10 low buck drivers on my eligible list when we arrive in Hanford. Those ten qualify, run the heats and go as far as they can up thru the semi and/or the main event. When the racing’s done, I get the list where they finish and pay in order of that just like I normally would with the dash. Highest finisher of the 10 drivers gets the top money and on down. Hopefully I will pay at least what starting money would have been in the past, so everyone who is eligible will get at least $ 200 if we only collect say about $ 5000. So as the collections go up, like in all past Wagsdash events, the payoff for each qualified driver goes up, too! Does it make sense yet? I hope to pay out a lot more than $5000, but it’s up to the donations like always. I have about $400 in pocket and at least another $1000 on the way in commitments. I will post what we collect as we go along. Bear with me, this will work! And get to bidding on those pictures online in the Wagtimes on-line auction. Come on $25 won’t hurt you! Bring in your spare change for the Lafond Jar of Change Hard Charger Award. Last year it was $ 1000.

There will be a special Legends dash at the Ovals this year. Last year the Timeless crew got the brilliant idea to stage a race for cash for the racers and it was won by David Cardey on points as each of the 4 drivers started in each of the 4 positions until the winner happened. Don Weaver with Bobby and his mom Belita Michnowicz are working diligently to collect the money to make this happen and like the many other “special” events on the USAC trail, it involves help from others who have the extra cash to make it work. Get involved and call Don Weaver to help. 310-549-3562 or e-mail him at legendsofascot@aol.com. You can sponsor a race for $1000, you can sponsor the event for $5000. And in addition, any donations will be accepted and all monies will make the purse. Don Weaver would like to thank the many people for their generous support as of today. Woodland Auto Display in Paso Robles, Ca, All Sprint Ranch, The Agajanian Family, Decore Plating, La Villa Restaurant, Tom Roberts, Sander Engineering, Bondio Fabrication, an anonymous fan, Wagtimes and Ed Iskenderian. This race is for the fans, and for the drivers, so lets get everybody involved.

It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you Mark Spivey passed away this past weekend. He fought a bitter losing battle with cancer that is painful to report. He was so positive about beating the evil sickness, that up until just recently he kept up the battle until he was overtaken. He was sure he would win, right up to the end. He leaves his loving Marcie and his young son Matheu. I will miss the big smile and teasing way as he worked his way thru the racing world. Even on his last racing appearance a few short weeks ago, he had not given up. May he rest in peace.

Here are the arrangements for Mark:

Memorial Service is this coming Saturday at 2:00pm

Location: Risher Mortuary
1316 Whittier Blvd
Montebello CA 90640

Family hosted reception to follow service at:

Mark and Marcie's house at 1325 Charleston Way, Montebello, CA 90640

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marks name to: The American Cancer Society.